At Bubble Rush we love seeing all the families taking part in our foamy 5k and laughing together as they take on the bubble stations. We often have several generations of the same family taking part as a group, with grandparents, uncles and aunties, brothers, sister and cousins all making memories together. More often than not they have all fundraised together as a family too.

Every Bubble Rush is organised in partnership with a local charity. Nottingham Bubble Rush, on 15th June is supporting Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. In our Guest Blog, Vicki Brunt from the hospice’s fundraising team explains how the funds raised from sponsorship will help fund the vital work of the charity, such as providing sibling support sessions.

“Having a brother or sister with a life-limiting illness is extremely tough for siblings. They too are going through a difficult time, often struggling to understand why their life is so very different to their friends, and sometimes struggling to cope.

For more than 10 years, Rainbows have provided a Sibling Support Service, which is invaluable to those brothers and sisters.

Sally Blower is our Sibling Support Worker.

Sally says: “The service is about making them feel important. Siblings of life-limited children may follow their brother or sister along a very long journey, which can often last years.

“They have a lot of professionals in their lives and it all revolves around their brother or sister; but we are one of the few organisations who will be interested in them and let them know that they are also worthy of attention.”

More than 100 brothers and sisters actively take part in our Sibling Support Service. As well as one-to-one support, our group sessions – which are tailored to age ranges – provide siblings with the chance to get to know their peers, ask questions and source information, as well as looking at coping strategies.

But it isn’t just about the group sessions Rainbows can offer, or the fun days out: It is also about invaluable one-to-one support that Sally provides at school or home. This is crucial for bereaved brothers and sisters to help them with their grieving process at a time when they may feel very alone.

Sally continues: “The consistent message that comes across from many siblings is the love that they share and the wish to protect their sibling and care for them.”

One of the most important things about our excursions and sessions is fun. For some, it is a chance to try activities for the first time. Playing on the beach or enjoying the rides at a theme park can sometimes prove impossible when they have a sibling with a life-limiting illness.

One of our siblings added: “I tend to forget that it’s not just my family that has a special needs brother or sister. The Sibling Support Group has given me more confidence, so thank you Rainbows for allowing me to do this and thank you to all the siblings, I have gained new friends.”

So my message to anyone who is taking part in Nottingham Bubble Rush on 15th June is simple: Please do whatever you can to raise as much sponsorship money as possible, so we can spread the smiles and fun far and wide in the Rainbows community. Just click this link to set up your JustGiving page or here to download a sponsorship form.

Thank you for your support.”

As your family and friends prepare to take on the bubbles we’d love you to help Rainbows, or the charity partner at your chosen Bubble Rush event, by fundraising or making a donation.